IRISH ISSN 0790-7672 October 2004 The Sinn Fein Story POLITICAL Irish Times History & Share-Structure Labour Comment Volume 19 No 10 REVIEW Lessons To Learn (back page) Incorporating Volume 18 Number 10 The Northern Star Workers' Weekly ISSN 0954-5891 Contents: See Page Two

Northern Ireland Captain Kelly: . Fissured Politics Posthumous Revenge The pseudo-democracy of Northern Ireland has now reached a clear position of What is it about Captain Kelly that stalemate. All that is new is that the stalemate is out in the open. The moves have all been arouses such vindictiveness? He is beset gone through and there is nothing more that spin-doctoring can do to camouflage the by enemies on three sides: revisionist, situation. Lynchite and a number of Official IRA hold-outs. (It should be said that not all Northern Ireland is not, and never has been, a state. It was never anything more than the erstwhile Officials go along with a delegated apparatus of the British state designed to keep the Six Counties at arm’s denigrating Jim Kelly, and some have length from British democracy and to give Britain leverage on 26 County affairs. acted quite honourably towards the Captain in the past, including Cathal Because it is not a state, the democratic principle of majority rule cannot work in it. Goulding.) Even after death, the assaults If it was a state it would have given rise to a form of politics appropriate to its functioning go on. Indeed, they are pursued with as a state. But the state in Northern Ireland has always been the British state—not only greater vigour than ever, now that he can in ultimate sovereignty but in a wide range of the institutions within which everyday life no longer vindicate his good name in the is lived. courts. The latest, and perhaps most crudely Politics do not relate to the actual state. Elections in Northern Ireland have never been vicious of all, attack happened on the contested by parties seeking a mandate to govern the state. The shifts and accommodations afternoon of 16th July. It took place and compromises and de facto changes of individual position, which happen as a matter virtually to the minute on the first anniver- of course in the political framework of a state, have never happened there. Elections, sary of his death. The location was Derry. therefore, do not give rise to politically functional majorities. A large assembly of 70 people had gathered to launch an organisation which The majority is not a political majority. Policies for government have little or nothing would campaign and petition to clear to do with it. It has therefore no moral standing with the minority. Captain Kelly’s name. His wife, Sheila, continued on page 2 and two of his children were present. The event was attended by an array of well- wishers, including Neil Blaney’s nephew, Niall, John Kelly, Dr. and Mrs. MacLean, Paddy ‘Derry’ Doherty, and Fr. Des Wilson. The meeting was chaired by Fionnbarra Ó Dochartaigh, who himself as a republican had been involved in the Civil Rights movement. Ó Dochartaigh had been instrumental in inviting a group who attended the campaign launch with destructive intent: a group of former Official IRA people who sat together and viewed the proceed- ings with sinister and cold faces. They had come to blacken Captain Kelly’s name. continued on page 6 Agreement in its essentials, that fact would C O N T E N T S be taken into account when an alternative Page system was devised. Fissured Politics. Editorial 1 That was the threat which caused David Captain Kelly. Posthumous Revenge. Angela Clifford 1 Trimble to sign the Agreement on Good Friday 1998. The alternative was under- The Sinn Fein Story. Julianne Herlihy 3 stood to be an enhancement of the minimal An Cor Tuathail: The Contest Of Oisín And Patrick. Part 3 9 joint sovereignty arrangements of the (Compiled by Pat Muldowney) Hillsborough Agreement of 1985. He The NIT Page (Not In The Irish Times: Manus O'Riordan; Timothy Lane) 10 thereupon decided to sign the Agreement but shred it by opposition from within. Irish Times History. John Martin 11 The Hillsborough Anglo-Irish governing The Irish Times Share Structure After 1974. John Martin 12 structures were dismantled under the Agreement. Housing Policy In Northern Ireland. Seán McGouran 14 The threat does not appear to be Farenheit 9/11. John Martin 15 working on Paisley. JFK Rides Again. Seán McGouran 16 The SDLP was a ghostly presence at Leeds Castle. In the subsequent bickering Labour Comment, edited by Pat Maloney: the DUP suggested that it too should give Lessons To Learn by John Ryan up something in the interest of The 'Partnership' Age Continues compromising, if the IRA gave up its weapons. But the SDLP has nothing to give up short of treason. Its decline was due to the fact that it gave up so much to Trimble while getting nothing in return.

There has been a change in the relative rejected the Agreement but took the two Durkan responded: “The IRA should strengths of majority and minority during Ministers to which it was entitled under it, never have had arms in the first place”. the past 80 years. The ratio began at a declaring that this did not imply acceptance And there are a great many other things potential 70:30—but the differential was of the Agreement. While refusing to that should never have happened, including usually much wider in practice due to recognise the Court, it took a seat on the Eve eating the apple. But politics is an demoralisation on the minority side. It is Bench. activity conducted within the Fall, and its now a steady 60:40, or something less. Last year it defeated the Ulster Unionist object is not a return to Eden. But the change did not reflect a political Party in the Unionist election on an anti- We never gave any semblance of ‘swing’. It was entirely the product of Agreement mandate. The UUP is also support to the IRA campaign. At a number what is politely called “demographics”. anti-Agreement. The difference is that of critical junctures the SDLP gave it very the UUP sought to subvert the Agreement substantial support. But we have held for The 1998 Agreement took account of from within while the DUP rejected it 30 years that the perverse mode of the fact that Northern Ireland is only a outright. government in Northern Ireland was pretend-democracy in which actual sufficient reason for the re-emergence of democratic politics play no part. It made Sinn Fein won the Nationalist election. the IRA—in fact the construction of a new detailed arrangements for a subordinate The Social Democratic and Labour Party IRA out of Northern Ireland conditions. administration in which Ministries were was held to have been gullible in its conduct shared out proportionate to the voting of affairs since 1998. Durkan’s remark is a mere debating strength of parties, and operated independ- The DUP, being the major party, will point. If it was the position of the SDLP ently of each other, being responsible not accept that majority rule does not in earnest, it would have agreed to forming neither to a Cabinet—there being no apply in Northern Ireland. it now refuses an ‘anti-terrorist’ Coalition with the Cabinet—nor to a Parliament. Ministers to operate the system under which it held Unionists. But it knew very well that its were chosen by party leaders from two ministries for four years. electoral support would collapse if it did members who were elected to a kind of such a thing. High-powered talks were held between Parliament, called an Assembly, and The gullibility of the SDLP was one operated independently thereafter. The the British Government and the DUP at Leeds Castle in mid-September (and also factor in causing the Agreement to be a Party could change its Ministers without dead letter almost from the start. Another reference to the Assembly and the DUP between Sinn Fein and the Government, but not between the DUP and Sinn Fein, was the aggressively anti-Sinn Fein did so. Elections to the Assembly were posture of Dublin Governments. A third political contests only within each of the and the other parties were also present in the vicinity). A BBC radio report, was the fact that the appearance of Unionist two communities who were explicitly support for the Agreement was brought obviously based on a Government briefing, recognised as the component parts of about by confidence trickery and there Northern Ireland. said that Sinn Fein had met Government was bound to be a reaction. requirements in the matter of arms’ The Agreement gave formal structural decommissioning, and the obstacle was John Bruton has now put himself at the expression to the social reality of Northern the DUP refusal to operate the old head of a movement to re-Anglicise Ireland. He became Taoiseach unexpect- Ireland, and thereby entrenched that Ministerial system, and suggested that, if edly, at a time when his political career reality. The Democratic Unionist Party the DUP made it impossible to restore the 2 appeared to be over. He had the sense to Review; Hope And History, Making Peace In Ireland by Gerry Adams. know that, unlike De Valera, he needed to Brandon Press. Dingle, Co. Kerry. 2003. do more than look into his heart to know what to say. The Republic was not yet ready for a Unionist Taoiseach. He therefore requested Martin Mansergh, who had been assistant to previous Taoiseachs The Sinn Fein Story on Northern policy, and had been one of the organisers of the confidence trick, to “To me, in Co. Waterford, Northern O’Brien’s infamous Section 31 in the stay on as his adviser. Mansergh refused. Ireland was merely a squalid little briar- (Broadcasting (Amendment) Act of 1975, In the circumstances Bruton can hardly be patch swarming with human anachronisms with its draconian censorship of Sinn Fein held responsible for the weakness of his —who often seemed sub-human—and is still in place with only the order banning action as Nationalist guarantor of the seething with dreary dissensions Agreement. By instinct he was on the punctuated by ghastly excesses. Since Sinn Fein rescinded. He boasted in his Unionist side, and when he sought help there seemed to be nothing anybody Memoir, My Life And Themes, that “the for his problem he was refused. And his could do about it, it was best forgotten… power to reimpose the ban remains” Fianna Fail successor has often been worse. and wherever I went people asked me (Poolbeg, Dublin 1999, p375). That why Christians were fighting in Ireland. repressive and illiberal legislation still And now, by an interesting turn of To which I replied impatiently that I casts a very long shadow over any discus- events, the very failure of Dublin didn’t know myself. It never occurred to me that this reply, from an Irish- sion of the North and its affairs, but more Governments to act as Nationalist guaran- especially the republican/nationalist tors of the Agreement, as British Govern- woman, betrayed an attitude both stupid and unkind, even, some might say, dimension. How can it not when its most ments have acted as Unionist guarantors, ardent supporters still hold powerful has led to a resurgence of Sinn Fein in the irresponsible” (A Place Apart. Dervla Murphy. Penguin, London. 1979. politics of the Republic. political, media and academic positions, Foreword p11). and their revisionist history holds sway The culture of the Republic is not yet “They built a paper wall around over our country? Ireland; on the inside of it they wrote media-culture. It runs its own way, In the last few weeks, as I reread regardless of the Irish Times and Sir what they wished the Irish people to Adams’s Hope And History, Ireland reeled Anthony O’Reilly and the greater part of believe, on its outside they wrote what RTE. they wished the world to believe about to such surrealist echoes that, were they * Ireland” (Seán Moylan In His Own fictionalised, would immediately be dis- The Northern Assembly was elected a Words—His Memoir Of The Irish War Of regarded as being too far-fetched. First year ago but has not yet been allowed to Independence. Aubane Historical Society. off, there was the Connaught Rangers sit. Disgruntled fundamentalists of the Millstreet, Co. Cork. 2004. 3rd Edn p158). imbroglio, where an Irishman, Cornelius defeated UUP are therefore short of outlets. “The fact that the British govern- Coughlan, VC (do I have to say that he ment and media have captured the was serving with the imperial forces?), David Burnside found a platform at a commanding heights of much of the was commemorated for “heroic beha- meeting of the all-but-forgotten Northern language on the North—IRA/loyalist viour” during the savage suppression of Ireland Grand Committee at Westminster violence is terror. British Army-RUC the Indian Mutiny. The American historian on 17th June, where he said: violence is not—neatly conceals the fact Mike Davis, in his seminal study Late “If I was applying to join the Police that the trick with terror is to have so Victorian Holocausts, El Nino Famines Service of Northern Ireland, apart from much of it that you don’t need to use it, And The Making Of The Third World, the discrimination in the legislation and can therefore wrap yourself up in which has been raised… many times, the comfortable drapery of constitu- wrote that, such was the ferocity of the tional rectitude… And the clearest the disgraceful state discrimination British response to the Mutiny, that the reality of all is that the British gun against young Protestant men and “India of “supine sufferers”…was still remains much the biggest one in the traumatized by the savage terror that had women in Northern Ireland. When you affairs of the island” (Sun. Tribune, 17th apply, in the application form, there are May 1998. Professor Joe Lee (former Chair followed the Mutiny twenty years earlier. two main categories… There is Catholic, of Irish history in UCC and now in NYU). Violent protest was everywhere deterred and there is Non-Catholic. Now that is by memories of sepoys blown apart at the When I was asked to review Gerry historically wrong, and it is offensive to mouths of cannons and whole forests of Adams’s book, I had no qualms and the population of Northern Ireland. I am peasants writhing on the noose” (Verso, a Catholic, a member of the Church of answered immediately in the affirmative. London, 2001, p54). Davis unapoligiti- Ireland, when I recite the Creed, Holy I had read all of Adams previous books cally linked the terrible famines of India Catholic and Apostolic Church. The and thought myself to be well enough and Ireland and the imperial “state terror” Roman Church is a sect within the acquainted with his politics that I could do that followed pitiful uprisings in both Catholic Church. It is the Roman sect. justice to the assignment. But then I asked countries. But the Mayo commemoration And it is offensive to us as Protestant myself, what did I really know about the people to be referred to as Non-Catholic was attended by none other than our Fianna North that would qualify me to interpret some sort of grouping. And I would ask Fail Minister of Defence, Michael Smith, Adams’s account? I had never even visited the Minister to get that legislation TD; Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Lt. the place and yet consider myself rather changed so that it refers to Roman General Jim Sreenan; the Secretary to the well travelled. As an outsider, I couldn’t Catholics, Protestants or Others… Archbishop of Tuam; and the British write about Northern Ireland with the easy Because it is offensive to us as if we have Ambassador to Ireland, Mr. Stewart Eldon somehow different citizenship in familial familiarity of others who write (See Irish Times, 9th August 2004). Northern Ireland, and we cannot be for the Irish Political Review. I lived with represented even within this discrimin- everything from that place mediated The Phoenix (27th August 2004) atory legislation as what we represent in through our media whose hostility to Sinn reported that the organisers were a group our personal religious affiliations.” Fein remains ferocious. Conor Cruise called Military Heritage Tours Ltd., “a 3 revisionist group with strange political suppression of the truth and by a sugges- and talking with Gerry Adams. He was beliefs which conflict with Fianna Fail tion of something that is contrary to the also filmed in his spacious office in Dail doctrine and Defence Force tradition”. It truth… I say that any intelligent visitor, Eireann. Facing his desk were portraits of also reported that the group was “part not particularly versed in the history of Eamon de Valera and Sean Lemass, but funded” (?) “by British National Lottery the country, would be entitled to conclude behind him prominently was a large funds and also organised trips to WW1 that the origins of this State were portrait of Padraig Pearse. The camera battlefields and shrines in Europe to connected with that park and the lingered on the image of Pearse, and Hector various achievements by Her Majesty’s memorial… This is not the position. O’hEochagáin asked Bertie about it. Bertie forces”. The Phoenix went on to outline This State had other origins, and because eulogised Pearse, saying he was his that other it has other origins I do not wish to see it “greatest hero” and an “inspiration”. suggested, in stone or otherwise, that it “support comes from Andrew Explicitly, Ahern was staking his creden- has that origin” (Kevin O’Higgins, Anvil McKinley, Labour MP for Thurrock, tials and those of his party in a strong Books, Co.Kerry. 1948, p172). Essex… an odd assortment of military republican tradition, and this clever politi- fantasists… Kevin Myers-style British To counterpoint Bruton’s West Brit. cian was letting the new guys on the block military buffs, British empire loyalists, position (what a boon to western diplo- know that they had a fight on their hands the Machine Gun Corps Old Comrades macy he will be—this man whom the and they’d better believe it. Association (sic) and overseas admirers British Government pushed for preferment like the Greengairs Thistle Flute Band (a over their own Commissioner Chris One other nugget—UCC has taken out advertisements promoting a course on Scottish musical group with the unique Patten), there was another camera- distinction of having been expelled in grabbing moment. On the RTE1 News at “conflict resolution”, taught by a Thomas 1988 from the Orange Order for anti- 6-o’clock on the 19th September 2004, Diedmuller, “an expert” in the subject. This from an university whose former Catholic and racist bigotry)”. there was truly an extraordinary event. Professor of Irish History was John A. Photos of this fiasco in the media The PD Minister of Justice, Michael Murphy (who incidentally chaired a strangely show stage-dressed Rangers McDowell, honoured a relative, a grand- session at the Reform Movement’s Confer- beneath a rather huge Union Jack flag. uncle I think, killed in the Civil War—one ence). And whose former President Where, one wonders was G2 (army of the Sligo Five up on the slopes of Ben Mortell unearthed the buried statue of the intelligence), or were their political masters Bulben. With the relatives of the other Famine Queen Victoria and had her put on already in the know? dead men, the Minister stood in front of the simple Celtic Cross marking the spot display in a glass case with very expensive Next up was the speech of EU Ambas- where he said the Five unarmed men were security in place. And whose recent profes- sador designate John Bruton at the Reform sor of Irish history, Tom Dunne, claimed killed. With his grandfather, Eoin Movement’s Conference in the Mansion MacNeill, in the Free State Government, in his latest book that John A. Murphy and House, Dublin, on the 18th September McDowell made this most remarkable Conor Cruise O’Brien were “the real 2004. The Reform Movement has two indictment, saying to camera, that the architects of the peace process” patrons, Ruth Dudley Edwards and the Sligo Five were executed “in a shoot to (Rebellions Memoir, Memory And 1798, Irish Independent journalist, Bruce Lilliput Press, Dublin, 2004, p83.) kill policy” by the State. No newspapers, Arnold, MBE (as reported by Phoenix, as far as I am aware, carried this incredible Which brings me finally to Gerry 24th September 2004). Bruton’s speech turnabout for this politician, whose anti- Adams’s book and its review. I had noticed repudiating 1916 and all that followed— Sinn Fein republican rhetoric this Summer in another forum how Hope And History true to the revisionist agenda—was repor- before the European and Local Elections topped the non-fiction best-seller lists long ted extensively in the Irish Times (20th was alarmist and over-the-top hysterical. before it had ever been reviewed. By 4th September 2004). But Reform and its This change I attribute to one man—Gerry October 2003, the book had enjoyed associates had seriously misjudged the Adams—and to the growing electoral neither the preview, review, published public mood as evidenced by the highly success of Sinn Fein both in the North and extract, or interview with the author, that critical letters published in the Letters’ South, which has impacted manifestly on books favoured by the Irish Times get, Page of the Irish Times. the political parties in the south. plus the photo op of the book launch. The silence of the Fine Gael leadership The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, when Finally it was reviewed on the 25th October and party about Bruton’s expressed faced with this Summer’s Fianna Fail 2003 (still at the top of the best sellers) by Liz O’Donnell, the PD TD and “former ideology is only slightly puzzling. In the electoral meltdown, eschewed the inane Sunday Business Post Damien Kiberd in comment of his Minister of the Marine, Minister for State to the Government and his ‘Opinion’ piece warned that party, Dermot Ahern, “we took a mid-term hit”. Dept. of Foreign Affairs and government representative at multi-party negotiations writing: “It’s about time Fine Gael stopped Facing the media, he said on RTE1 News: genuflecting to the Ulster unionists in a “We lost, they won”. He repeated this leading to the Good Friday Agreement”, craven fashion” (7th December 1997). grimly when the media pack tried to according to the blurb at the end of the review. O’Donnell was the only politician Their origins were otherwise. It was Kevin interject with his Minister’s witless O’Higgins—the celebrated “strong man” comment. The “we” were of course Fianna willing to publicly warn McDowell about of Terence de Vere White’s biography— Fail and the “they” were Sinn Fein. toning down his anti-Sinn Fein propaganda who, when he was a Free State Minister, in the run-up to this Summer’s elections. shot down plans that Merrion Square On 9th September 2004, on RTE1, Steve MacDonogh, publisher of should be turned into a memorial for those there was a documentary, Hanging With Brandon press, has had a most fruitless Irishmen who fell in WW1. O’Higgins Hector . Its first subject was the Taoiseach. engagement with the Irish media and in declared: Shot over the Summer, it was interesting particular the Irish Times. His books, “I believe that to devote Merrion to note the images Bertie Ahern wanted though best sellers, are neglected; and Square to this purpose would be to give conveyed to the Irish public. He was seen only when it becomes rather obvious that a wrong twist, as it were, a wrong in Fagin’s pub, his local in Drumcondra, something is afoot are they finally given suggestion to the origins of this State. It man of the people personified. He was in an airing. But it is plain it is an onerous would be a falsehood, a falsehood by Croke Park at a GAA match shaking hands obligation and I very much doubt that 4 sales increase after exposure in the Irish else was just a “steely and sad accept- us a chronologically coherent narrative of Times. In his own fine book, Open Book, ance”. So far so predictable. But what how the peace process developed— One Publisher’s War, MacDonogh wrote really astonished this reader was her through a working out of political revealingly about the way Gerry Adams’s following statement: positions—that is at once gripping and books are reviewed in the media. “There is no understanding by Adams accessible. Adams never patronises the Reviewers and journalists concentrate— of the risks posed to democracy by the reader by glib analysis—he carefully not on the writings—but rather engage in peace process. From the Irish Govern- assesses the approach of all the various invective and denigration. “The “correct” ment’s perspective it was always huge players, and manages to keep things in journalistic position was it seemed to refuse risk”. play with a virtuoso display of patience to progress beyond sweeping dismissal and tenacity. And, because Adams has a and puerile abuse” ( (Brandon Press, Isn’t that extraordinarily revelatory central role now in Irish affairs, I cannot Dingle, 1999, p175). coming from an Irish Minister (admittedly recommend this book highly enough junior status) who was involved in the because it is the essential read for anyone Indeed, MacDonogh’s own book was Talks? The only sense I can make of that reviewed by the Managing Editor of the seeking to understand the complexities of Freudian slip is that Irish (Southern?) Northern Ireland. Irish Times, Eoin McVey, on the 20th democracy is threatened by the ballot November 1999. This superb account of box—and the logical corollary of that is At this stage I should acknowledge modern day Irish publishing, with its that the Fianna Fail/PD Government feels that the Irish Political Review provided trenchant criticisms of the “reviewing itself imperilled by the electoral success with me with an better understanding of circle”—particularly of the Irish Times— of Sinn Fein. And that was before this the dynamics at work in Northern Ireland. was not referred to by McVey. The latter Summer’s elections! O’Donnell also I had been disabled from a comprehension excoriated instead the author’s “self- managed an awful, low smear of the friends of the political realities operative in these justificatory life story” (?). McVey’s of Sinn Fein and of Gerry Adams, who isles by a reliance on academic and media sourness and soreness was evidenced extend from North America to South analysis. further by his remark that the style of the Africa as she acknowledged: “They”, she On the one hand, there was the project book “is close to that of “Dear Diary”” stated, “of course, were not picking up the to democratise it, by having it included in and “it will have little appeal outside the bodies”. This is an utterly vile aside that the party structures by which the rest of world of publishing”. Contrast the above besmirches O’Donnell and her ilk far more the state was governed—which came up so-called review with the balanced and than it does anyone else. against a brick wall within British govern- positive one written by Adrian Weckler in ing circles. And, indeed, which was The rest of the review is given over to the Sunday Business Post on the 31st opposed by many elements in the south— October 1999. a pouting petulant O’Donnell who didn’t especially those now championing find herself named among the great and ‘revisionism’. Unionism too, under the One couldn’t find a more perfect the good of Gerry’s narrative. “You will example of the type of review that Mac spell of Professors Bew and Patterson et search hard to find a laudatory or al, refused to shift, and “its chosen ground Donogh complained of than that written sympathetic profile of any elected Irish by Sam Smyth in the Irish Independent on has been crumbling under it ever since” political figure”. Well not so: Adams is (as Brendan Clifford has put it). the 20th September 2003 under the head- very enthusiastic of the contributions made On the other hand, Gerry Adams and ing, Why Is It All Talks And No Action In by Albert Reynolds as “practical and Gerry’s Book? The fact that the book his people took an opposite course, which straightforward” (p197). And Mary led “from their origins in the pogroms of pulsates with action (yes and Talks) is of Robinson is well-feted. The latter’s visit August 1969 to their present occupation no matter to Smyth. Readers of the book to West Belfast and her handshake with fall into two categories according to him— of the corridors of power”. The progress Gerry Adams caused the Sunday of Sinn Fein took place, as Adams himself ”idiots” and “myopic voters”. And what Independent to call for her resignation— acknowledged in his book, even though followed is not a review but a rant against plus ca change. But Adams believed that, the success of Adams and his party not only the whole intent of the powers-that-be for the republican community, the “visit was to isolate Sinn Fein and leave it at the in Ireland, but right across the globe it was an important initiative. I have always appears. From Belfast to Paris, New York, margins—but things turned out very felt”, he wrote, “that she did not get the differently. Capetown—the man is feted and all the proper recognition for the stand she took”. “unionist sources” whispering in the jour- She made the visit against the wishes of Adams, by connecting in this book nalist’s ear can’t alter that galling fact. the British Government and of the Irish “this small picture perspective to a big- picture screen”, leads the reader to see The Irish Times review was, as I said Government—most especially Dick earlier, written by Liz O’Donnell on the Spring, the Labour leader. The Irish Times how the actual realities of Northern Ireland 25th October 2003. It was headed, Peace “carried eight critical articles” on the worked themselves out, thus transforming the scene. He quotes Senator George Through A Prism. In case our senses were handshake (ibid, p128-131). Mitchell who said, “Implementing the a bit on the slow side, there was a huge O’Donnell ended her critique thus: photo canvas—almost all blacked out with Good Friday agreement was going to be “This book may fail to acknowledge the harder that negotiating it”. But, as an just a keyhole-type lens shot of Adams greatness of others” (ooch poor darling) unfazed Adams pointed out, “Negotiations himself. And, lest we were still in the dark “but it is an important insight into the (get it?), the text under the heading reads: were now a part of struggle” (p376). And major republican figure of our time”. the recent Leeds Castle Talks give an “Essential as it is, Gerry Adams’s book is This reviewer concurs with the last half of added potency to Gerry Adams’s analysis. not the place to find balanced analysis of that statement. From the outset, in the the peace process”. So, with these health The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, grimly introduction, Adams states: “In telling standing beside a faffing Tony Blair, stated warnings in place, O’Donnell managed the story of the Irish peace process, I can eventually to state that Adams’s book was unequivocally: “There is no going back to only tell my experience of it, my majoritism”. “essential”, that Adams is a competent understanding of it, my role in it… My writer, and that the book is “thorough”. intention is to tell… my story. My truth. Sinn Fein and Gerry Adams now have She castigates Adams for doing what he My reality” (ibid, p2). And he does so said at the outset he would do, that is write much to hope for as they fashion out our with clarity and an economy that marks history. his account. But worse, she found him him out, not only as the statesman of our Julianne Herlihy. only admitting to a “little remorse”: all era, but as a writer of rare skill. He offers 5 tendency in the town. It is said Mr. White pay that kind of money for Republican has not been seen much around there since killings, that would have been credible. Captain Kelly then. But it strains belief that the Lynch Government—however bad it became If any date had been given, it would after mid-April 1970—would go to such continued have been something to test. Captain lengths. Whatever the differences between Kelly made only two visits to Derry in that the various strands of Catholic- Right at the beginning of the meeting, period, one in August when he witnessed nationalist—on the ground in Derry and one of them, John White, IRA Officer the Battle of the Bogside in a personal in Government in the South—there was Commanding in 1969, stood up to make capacity and one in September 1969 on an underlying community of feeling some angry and vile allegations against behalf of the Irish Government. He did between them at the time in question. Captain Kelly. He claimed that in 1969 not enter Northern Ireland at all after “fucking Jim Kelly” had offered him September 1969. His habit was to meet A query which springs to mind is why personally £50,000 to kill six fellow Northern Ireland community leaders south did OC John White wait 35 years to republicans. He claimed that Kelly did of the Border, as his chief, Army Director mention this alleged bribe and incitement this on behalf of “fucking Fianna Fail”. of Intelligence Colonel Hefferon, had to murder? He declared at the meeting All this was supposed to have happened in ordered him to stay out of the North. that he had been angered by the civil rights Derry City, on the staircase of a private context in which people were trying to house. White alleged, “I was offered The Chairman of the launch and clear Captain Kelly’s name. Even so, why £50,000 on condition I would be moving spirit of the campaign to clear did he wait 35 years to expose such a responsible for killing six of my comrades”. Captain Kelly’s name was Fionnbarra O heinous crime? Dochartaigh. He afterwards told the Irish White’s allegations were supported by Sunday Mirror: Another peculiarity is that Cathal another of that group, Peter Collins, Derry “I was in the Republican leadership Goulding, Chief of Staff at the time, went Brigade Intelligence Officer in 1969, who at the time this meeting is supposed to out of his way to clear Captain Kelly’s have taken place. claimed to have witnessed the attempt to name in 1971, when Garda Superintendent “If it had happened I would have Fleming told a pack of lies to the Oireachtas bribe White and who declared that “Kelly known about it, I would have been privy put his finger in my face”. Why Kelly Public Accounts Committee hearing into to that information, so I totally dispute the alleged arms smuggling affair. The would have risked making a criminal what he said. Republican Publicity Bureau issued a proposal in front of a witness was not “I do not know what his agenda is in explained. Nor was the state of relations bringing this up at this time more than 30 statement on 9th February 1971, rebutting between the three men brought up. Was years later, but it is the first time anyone allegations made by Fleming in relation to Kelly stupid enough to canvass assassins has heard of this allegation.” (18.7.04) Kelly’s contacts with him, and thus put he hardly knew? It must be assumed that information in the public domain which anyone in his right mind would only make The sum of money mentioned is also would tend to clear Kelly’s name. Would such a proposal to people he knew well bizarre. The total amount spent on Northern Goulding have done that for someone and would have reason to believe would Ireland relief—including arms purchases who had tried to get his men killed a year give it a ready hearing. But Kelly did not for Northern Ireland Catholic communities before? It must, after all, be assumed that know John White or Mr. Collins. If there —by the Irish Government in 1969-70 OC White told his superior officer of had been much of a connection between was £100,000. Was half as much again Kelly’s approach. them, his wife, Sheila, in whom he was offered just to get six republicans confided closely, would have been familiar killed? The files of the Irish Government And how come the Irish Special Branch with them. And what might have led in the National Archive show signs of —and the whole Lynchite establishment— Captain Kelly to believe that OC White frugality throughout. Any expenditure of harboured such an animus against Kelly if was open to any suggestion of killing £50,000 would have been thought about he had been intent on getting republican republicans? very carefully. And Kelly himself would ‘troublemakers’ killed on their behalf? not have had ready access to that kind of However, neither White nor Collins money. He had to justify every request for It might be remarked in passing that filled out chapter and verse of the funds he made—including for arms OC White gave anonymous evidence at allegations. In particular, they refused to purchases—to Minister of Finance Charles the Bloody Sunday Tribunal. Whatever say in which house this offer was allegedly Haughey and his Secretary. he said, he certainly had questions to answer in relation to Official IRA actions made, nor did they give the date. If any Quite apart from the logistics, it is hard on that day when he was in command—a detail had been offered, it could have been to see what Captain Kelly or anyone else day on which the Provisionals exercised a tested against known facts. had to gain from any individual Republican restraining influence on Officials intent deaths, Stickie or otherwise. During this on complicating a difficult situation with Quite apart from anything else, it would period the whole effort of the Southern gun-shots at the British forces. have been out of character for Captain State—of which he was a leading edge— Kelly who—strangely for a soldier (though was to enhance the capacity for self- What is certain is that the more the perhaps not in the Irish Army) hated defence of various Catholic communities White allegations are considered, the more violence. He abhorred bloodshed and was under attack. And the whole State absurd they appear. They relate to the pre- particularly upset by some of the senseless machine, domestic and diplomatic, was split IRA. Within four months of that incidents of the war—such as the killing bent on making Ireland’s case on partition split, which occurred on 28th December of Ranger Best by the Stickies in Derry to the world. Now, if White had declared 1969, Captain Kelly himself was under City, which caused revulsion against that that the British Government was ready to interdict in the Irish State. 6 What seems likely is that people like regard for Lynch and his cronies, but to men at the meeting then joined in. One OC White are determined to maintain the protect Fianna Fail—the national party— asked Kelly how many IRA men were to legend that the Provisional/Official split and Ireland as a State. be eliminated and he replied, “Six”. At in the IRA was engineered by the Lynch which— Government because it was afraid of the Whatever the justification for the “Kelly was then told, in no uncertain new class struggle objectives of the reticence of Haughey and others 35 years terms, to f••k off. The meeting then movement. And spreading this false story ago, there is no reason for it now. The ended.” about Captain Kelly helps to sensationalise truth can no longer damage the essential Messrs White and Collins then made and give colour to the fiction that passes Fianna Fail—but it would totally discredit contact with their leadership in Dublin, for history on this matter. Not only did the the Lynch/O’Malley element who seeking an urgent meeting—which took Irish Government split the IRA but, before destroyed republican tendencies within place the following day in South Derry. doing so, it tried to kill the anti-militarist the party on the basis of a false account of Apparently, higher authority did not quite faction, using anti-militarist republicans what happened in 1969-70. take the incident seriously. The story as tools!?! Angela Clifford continues: “The Chief of Staff told the Derry But I believe that there was sufficient PS: Brigade OC that he should have got the reason within the republican movement Since the above was written, the Derry £50,000 first and then told Kelly to f••k for the division in the IRA: it did not need Journal (20th August) has carried extracts off.” external interference to happen. The split from an interview given by White and The men were told the leadership would was not between ‘politics’ and ‘militarism’ Collins in the Starry Plough, official paper “take care of it from then on”. as is suggested nowadays, but between of the Irish Republican Socialist Party. those who insisted on continuing a divisive The intervention of the two was because OC White and IO Collins went on to debate on abstentionism and suchlike they were “so incensed” that someone say the Irish Government offered this deal issues even after the North had lapsed into who they have “intimate knowledge of because— a state of disorder in August 1969 and attempting to split the republican “…they feared less an armed struggle those who thought that such theoretical movement in 1969 should be lauded as an contained within the Six Counties than questions should be set aside in the face of innocent victim of injustice…”. They say an armed struggle throughout the 32 the needs of the moment in the North. (It that: counties. is noteworthy that Roy Johnston in a letter “[The Irish Government wanted to] “They feared a scenario where tens of to the Irish Times made a gesture to reality eliminate those from within the [IRA] thousands of working class men and when he conceded that Gerry Adams was leadership who would have been women would take to the streets and challenge their authority and attempt to continuing the policy of demilitarisation considered Socialist or Communist. change their system into one that put of republicanism started by himself!) “This would then have laid the groundwork for the formation of a right working class people first. wing and Catholic leadership that would “As the republican movement was to As for Captain Kelly’s good name: the have been prepared to dance to the tune the forefront of that struggle, it would politically-motivated intervention by of the Dublin regime. have been important to divide the yesterday’s men in Derry failed to prevent “The meeting [with Capt Kelly] lasted movement and form an organisation that the launch of a movement to vindicate his only a few minutes. Kelly, after would have been prepared to pay lip reputation. After these Officials had vented explaining his role, offered those present service to the Free State Government.” their spleen, the meeting adjourned and arms, training and money (£50,000). reconvened without them. “When those present asked Kelly In so far as there is a grain of truth in what the government wanted in return, any of these ravings, it is that the Irish However, the incident strengthens Kelly said, ‘a guarantee that the struggle Government in August 1969 was helping demands for a proper public inquiry into would be contained within the Six with the organisation of Citizens’ Defence the events of 1969-70. The information to Counties’. groups which had the single purpose of “The OC then pointed out to Kelly vindicate Captain Kelly as a good and defending Catholic communities. Six that he knew as well as him that such a Intelligence Officers, one of whom was faithful officer of the Irish State is all there situation was already guaranteed as the in Government files. What already has Captain Kelly, were sent North to liaise standing orders of the IRA prevented with nationalist leaders and republicans been made public clears his name. But a any attacks within the 26 counties. willing to work in the community interest. policy of obscuring Taoiseach Lynch’s “At this point, the OC then demanded role is evident in the pattern of document to know exactly what Kelly wanted in If Captain Kelly talked to republicans in releases in the National Archive—and it is return for these weapons and money and Derry—as he did to Cathal Goulding him- also evident from the Arms Trials in the aggressively demanded, while pointing self six or seven times—it was entirely to conduct of both the Judges and crucial his finger towards Kelly that he give him see which individuals were prepared to witnesses like Charles Haughey. a straight answer. put community defence before crackpot “Kelly then said: ‘the elimination of schemes. certain members of the leadership of the Despite being a defendant, with his republican movement’.” political career in the balance Haughey PPS: The claim that the meeting, at which such Liam O Comain Joins gave minimalist information to the Court. a serious assassination proposal was made, He was clearly protecting Jack Lynch. He “lasted only a few minutes” shows just The Mud-Slingers and others could have revealed Cabinet how much credence can be placed on the On 25th July Liam O Comain produced discussions and amplified the decisions episode! a jumble of unfounded allegations and taken—which would have exonerated all erroneous statements in support of OC the defendants in the Arms Trials. They The Derry Journal cites the Starry White’s assault on Captain Kelly in The failed to do so, not from any personal Plough to the effect that two other IRA Blanket, a web-magazine. In this he 7 complains of “a form of censorship being communities under far more mainstream the White/Collins claims about Captain placed around those who agree with leaderships. He also goes on to imply that Kelly, as he was not involved in the Johnny White’s action”. the Provisionals-to-be regarded such social Republican Movement in the late 1960s agitations with distaste, being wedded to and early 1970s and was therefore was not But was O Comain himself the greatest pure militarism. But that is nowhere near in a position to know what really happened. censor? An extract from his Memoirs and an accurate description of a chaotic and He said: Thoughts appears on a web-site, Ireland’s messy parting of the ways within “I don’t know how Johnny White can OWN (web download made on 23rd republicanism. claim that I was not in a position of August 2004). Here he speaks of Captain Looking backwards, O Comain is over- leadership with the movement. Kelly contacting Republicans to split them. emphasising the importance of republican- “I attended the Ard Fheis in 1969 and And he mentions that “the Dublin agents ism in the North at this time—which is supported the leadership position on used the possible supply of weapons as a easily done considering how it is now taking seats. “My involvement with the Derry means of courting those [who saw the gun eclipsing all other political tendencies on as the only means of uniting the country]. Citizen’s Action Committee, where I the nationalist side. In reality, the Citizens’ was secretary is there for all to see. In addition, they used the well-worn Defence Committees—comprising repub- ‘communist or red scare’ in their attempt “A he claims that I wasn’t even in licans of all tendencies as well as members to undermine the republican leadership of Derry at the time of these happenings all the time” etc. A catalogue of what these of the minority in other parties and with no I can say is that I went to Cork long after ‘agents’ were up to is given, but there is party affiliation—were “in constant these events an anyone who was around in the late 1960’s knows of my not a word about trying to bribe republicans contact” with the Irish Government in 1969, while the IRA “had been conspi- involvement. to kill each other (for, of course, any “All I can say is that if Johnny White’s killing would have brought retaliation). cuous by its inactivity” (Kevin Boland, Indivisible Faith, p51). memory is such that he cannot remember Liam O Comain says that he himself my role in the republican movement in “took on the role of organising for the those days then I have to call into question Quite apart from these organisations, movement”, was in contact with Dáithi how reliable his memory he claims to O’Connail—whom he tried to bring out the single most de-stabilising and agitating speak of regarding Captain Kelly.” of retirement—and was close to the late force in Northern Ireland at that point was Malachy McGurran, as well as Sean Miss Bernadette Devlin—who was a thorn Sean McGouran adds: Garland and Cathal Goulding. Yet there in the side of officialdom everywhere. The Official IRA was dominant in is no inkling that he knew of the proposed Derry until the killing of Ranger Best in assassination plot. If there had been such Why does O Comain describe Captain May 1972, when there was a wave of a proposal, as one of the people strongly Kelly as a “Civil Servant”? He must revulsion against it. agitating on the ‘political’ side of know very well that he was an Army In 1974 virtually the whole of the republicanism, surely White, Collins or Officer and that he was Personal Assistant Official Republican movement in Derry any of the others would have taken him to the Chief of Military Intelligence—a seceded as a result of J. White’s mis- into their confidence and warned him of completely different kettle of fish to the management. what was afoot? After all, he had been civilian garda intelligence organisation— The Starry Plough, having been the approached by an agent of the Irish State the body which was in fact the premier publication of the Officials/Republican in Monaghan and felt out about “the need Intelligence-gathering body of the Irish Clubs in Derry, ceased to be a Stickie to defend the nationalist people” and the State. publication overnight, and became the strength of his allegiance to Cathal IRSP paper. Goulding. His major allegation in the Blanket is The allegations against Captain Kelly If O Comain had had any hint of money that— made by J. White and P. Collins did not for assassinations, he would certainly have “…recent southern state papers… appear in the pamphlet produced by the dramatised the story in his web auto- reveal Captain Kelly’s mandate was to Officials which alleged that Fianna Fail split the Republican Movement in order biography. He is certainly not shy of had set up the Provisionals. to disable its more progressive elements having a highly-coloured story about the and via the dissenters to manipulate the parting of the ways with Martin movement in the north… as a means of McGuinness on the site. bringing to an end the increasing agitation in relation to housing, ground Do you want to sign the Here are the arguments which O rents, etc. in the south”. Comain adduces to support his insistence I have been through many files relating to petition to clear Captain in the Blanket piece that there was “truth this period in the National Archive. I have Kelly's name? in the allegations made by Johnnie White yet to see a word which indicates that this that he as OC of the Derry Brigade was was Captain Kelly’s mandate. If Liam O You can do so offered money by Captain Kelly to get rid Comain can produce the evidence for this, of certain republicans at the time”. let him publish it. If not, he should and obtain information about his His first seems to be that “the birth and apologise to the Kelly family for the life and work on the development of extra-parliamentary character assassination of a man who activity in the north in the late nineteen dedicated website at: sixties and early seventies helped as a cannot answer for himself. catalyst to plant hope in the nationalist AC people”. PPPS It seems that O Comain is here trying Since the above was written, www.captkelly.org to claim the credit for the Stickies for the Fionnbarra O’Dochertaigh has responded self-activity of Northern Ireland to claims that he is in no position to rebut 8 The contest of OisÌn and Patrick (3) OisÌn: P.: I would remain in his company forever. I tell no falsehood about God, I would truly prefer O Patrick, I would praise even you. his virtue, his charity, his deeds; to be in the company of the Fianna as I was, and likewise I would praise your clergy, you old fellow of churlish speech, powerless, naked, hungry if only you would come with me with all speed his goodness is everlasting. in poverty rather than in the paradise of Christ. until we arrive at this mansion of God. O.: Patrick: P.: I will not believe your sayings about God, My regret and my grief It is not the haste of the Fianna to the chase, his goodness, his hospitality and his sharing, are your disparaging and belittlement of God, nor the charge with war-standard at the until you come with me to his household unceasing in words of madness comencement of battle, to see with my own eyes if they are true. praising the greatness of the Fianna. that resemble the journey to that place; P.: O.: it is not physical strength that takes us there. If you were in God’s paradise, O.: It is not fitting for you, O Patrick, you old man without sense or regard, O Patrick, tell that God of yours to accuse me of abuse and belittlement; what would you see in his mansion that Fionn and the Fianna did not know did you not say yourself that God is good since your eyes are blind? just as I say that Fionn and the Fianna were? that he existed in their time O.: and if they had known they would have P.: If one of God’s virtues is his generosity been pleased to do his bidding. I would not mind you praising the Fianna, he would pity one such as me to be sightless; Do not forget to tell him in time, their battle exploits and their vigour, if I got inside his door if he will not permit the Fianna to be in his presence, but it is grievous, importunate and foolish I would ask him for an instant cure. to belittle God while praising Fionn. to send me to the Fianna If I was inside that mansion to suffer the torment (of the damned) with them. O.: that is called the court of the King of Grace, P.: I was not acquainted with God though I am withered and blind Where Fionn and the Fianna are but I knew Fionn and the Fianna; I would sense whether it was better to be there. that is where you are going, I fear, if God is better than they were I would soon obtain knowledge of God O OisÌn, I am certain of this, his virtue and repute were unknown to me. whether he is humane and generous in sharing; and not to the mansion of the Only-Son of God. if he has plenty of bread 9 · Biteback · Biteback· Biteback· Biteback· Biteback· Biteback· Biteback· Biteback The NIT Page ————— (Not in the Irish Times)

MORE LETTERS SUPPRESSED BY THE IRISH TIMES however, be described as misleading, but growth was then 1.6% which would have only to the extent of constituting an given a figure of 12 million by mid-1846 15 September 2004 understatement. As editor of “A Festschrift and could have been 13 million by 1851. As Casement And Guilt By Association for Francis Stuart on his 70th Birthday”, you say, the official figure for that latter year I don’t know whether the Casement W.J. McCormack in fact emerged as the was 6.5 million and ironically this could be “Black Diaries” were forged or not, and in high priest of the Stuart cult in 1972. He an overestimate as people were then inclined some respects I don’t care. What I do care offered the following apologia for his hero: to ‘overinclude’ themselves in the hope of about is the use to which those diaries were “Despite the outbreak of war Stuart extra relief. put by the British Government to ensure decided that he should go to Berlin, that he Accepting your figure for emigration of Casement’s judicial murder for struggling should be where Europe was then focussed 1 million we are left with a considerably for the freedom of his own small nation. And ... For those who were not there, those who larger death figure than 1 or 2 millions, the what I particularly object to on the part of were not touched outwardly by the holocaust, numbers usually quoted. Instead, it could be those who now trumpet that the “Diaries” the testimony of a returned witness may be uncannily close to 6 million. were authentic is the “guilt by association” embarrassing; they prefer the pure martyr to One of the amazing facts about the Great polemics employed against others who the flawed survivor who may still speak. Hunger was that there was never a continue to question that yet-to-be- Stuart is such a survivor; Anne Frank is such contemporary counting of the numbers who conclusively-proven assertion. Still worse a victim. Many who read ‘The Diary’ died. I suggest that it is a long overdue fact is their posthumous deployment, not only mentally limit their experience to specified of our history that should be fully discussed against those who originally challenged that periods of time, specific individuals. The and the facts clearly established once and for supposed authenticity more than three score reader is largely immune”. all. Your columns could provide a valuable and ten years ago, but also for the purpose of W.J. McCormack was not, of course, service to help do this. smearing Casement’s own patriotic and anti- into Holocaust denial. Notwithstanding the Timothy Lane racist politics by association with the benefit of thirty years hindsight, however, radically different politics of some of those he was quite willing to trivialise that September 22, 2004 who would invoke his name more than two Holocaust when he invoked Francis Stuart decades after his death. in order to slap down “The Diary of Anne W.J. McCormack derides W.J. Maloney BY WAY OF CONTRAST…………… Frank” for being preoccupied with what the Consider how the important subject of (September 14) for his lack of foresight in French National Front leader Jean-Marie Le failing to see where fascism was leading in Kevin Myers’s tender ego is dealt with as a Pen would infamously categorise in 1987 as topic in the Letters page of the Irish Times. 1936, but he omits to remind us that within a mere “point of detail of Second World War He writes fictitious and absurd letters three years Maloney had withdrawn the history”. Personally, I find W.J. Maloney’s criticising himself and then publishes them permission he had earlier given Francis Stuart short-lived lack of foresight in 1936 far with a smirk of self-satisfaction in his column to publish a translation of his Casement easier to forgive. “Guilt by association” is (10 September 2004). Perhaps the Irish book in Nazi Germany. One of Maloney’s not a game to be played in such a fragile Times should do something to bolster his supporters, Maud Gonne, is indeed accurate- glass house. clearly flagging ego and do as they did in ly described as an anti-Semite, coming as Manus O’Riordan, 2001: publish a series of letters praising the she did from the anti-Dreyfusard tradition in great man. Though this time we would France, but McCormick also omits to remind suggest varying the message somewhat. us that Maloney’s chief collaborator, Dr. 10 September 2004 Merely concocting different headings is the lazy way out. The laughable loudmouth of Patrick McCartan, held the opposite point of Famine Figures Your editorial on the recent population Irish reaction deserves better, surely. The view and, in fact, wished to honour Casement following letters found no difficulty in getting figures (“More Irish People” 8/9/2004) uses by proclaiming him to be “the Irish Dreyfus”. published: some statistics regarding the Famine that are Nor are we told that the preferred retail October 15, 2001 open to debate. outlet for Maloney’s book in Dublin was Voice Of Realism Officials and demographers at the time that of the foremost Irish writer of anti-Nazi In this island of pharisaical hypocrisy, did not accept the official figure for the verse during the 1930s, Dermot Fitzpatrick. thank heavens for the voice of realism population of 1841 - 8.2 million - as being If Nazi German propaganda proclaimed from Kevin Myers. reliable. Cecil Woodham-Smith records this that Catholics experienced discrimination Yours, etc., John McGeorge, in Northern Ireland, this does not make such in her book ‘The Great Hunger.’ As she Doonbeg, Co Clare. discrimination any less a fact. And Britain’s says, it was reckoned on the basis of some crime against Casement becomes no less a recounts that there was an underestimate of October 5, 2001 State Funeral For Kevin Barry crime, notwithstanding the fact that, as about one third. Sticking with figures In this island of pharisaical hypocrisy, McCormack points out, “Casement was rounded to the nearest million, that means thank heavens for the voice of realism from extensively exploited in Berlin during the the population figure for 1841, as established Kevin Myers. Nazi years”. The chief agent of that by the partial recount, was 11 million. That was not the only occasion on which Yours, etc., John McGeorge, exploitation was Francis Stuart, who Doonbeg, Co Clare. concluded his own 1940 Berlin book, “Der census figures had to be readjusted. It Fall Casement”, with a vision of Irish happened again in the UK in 1991 because October 1, 2001 participation in something like a Waffen-SS of the Poll tax. I know from personal Terrorist Attacks In United States guard of honour in a Nazi-occupied Britain: experience that the results were then In this island of pharisaical hypocrisy, “Perhaps one day, no longer lying far away, immediately disregarded as totally unreliable thank heavens for the voice of realism from Irish and German soldiers will stand together in many areas. Tithes, among many other Kevin Myers. before Casement’s unmarked grave”. factors, were a major factor in 1841 that Yours, etc., John McGeorge, Doonbeg, Co Clare. Stuart is indeed a stark omission from inclined people in Ireland not to volunteer McCormack’s list of “baddies”. To call information. [Editorial Note: These letters are not McCormack an admirer of Stuart could, The annual Irish population rate of an invention: check for yourself!]. 10 Again, quoting Hetherington he says that: “Croskerry was a bit of a bohemian, a man who sailed a boat on the Shannon, Irish Times History frequently colliding with bridges and with other craft, and was famous the One of the interesting aspects of The supposed administrative incompetence he length and breadth of Ireland for his foul Irish Times was its stability over a long was able to thwart Lowe’s every attempt language.” period. When it was incorporated in 1900 to bring him to heel. Smyllie survived as I found this picture of Croskerry as a it had seven shareholders: John and David Editor until his death in 1954. man “impossible to work with” implaus- Arnott, William Guest Lane, Robert ible. For one thing he seems to have been Stokes, John Simmington, Albert Hall But the story of Frank Lowe’s rise to capable of marshalling his forces very and John Carlyle. In 1965 some of the power in The Irish Times is an interesting well to enable Lowe to become de facto original shareholders family names were one. Managing Director. Secondly, it is unlikely still on the company’s register. There was The company was not in a healthy that such an “impossible” man would a Lane, a Simmington and a John Arnott. financial state in 1941. Its Preference have been able to develop such a thriving Also, there was a Howard Robinson who Shareholders had not been paid for many law practice as Croskerry did. Thirdly, may have had a family or business connec- years and, according to Gray, they had no George Hetherington was hardly an tion with Albert Hall since he was listed as say in the running of the company. impartial observer. a director of a company called the Hall A revolt by these shareholders, led by School Ltd. But by then their influence Fred Croskerry of the well known legal Gray describes Hetherington as Frank was a remnant of their ancestors. All were firm, succeeded in appointing a Frank Lowe’s nephew, but he was more than just small shareholders with the exception of Lowe to the Board of Directors of The a nephew. John Arnott who held 25% of the ordinary Irish Times. In Gray’s book Frank Lowe is A year after George Hetherington’s stock. By the early 1970s Arnott and the described as a “prominent Mason”, “a birth his father died and his mother others had all sold their ordinary stock to church going Christian” and “deeply emigrated to Canada with the two elder the five Directors who benefited from the interested in the Boys’ Brigade”. children. George remained in Ireland to restructuring in 1974. be reared by Frank Lowe and his wife. Gray doesn’t say why Croskerry didn’t But up until the early 1940s the old get himself appointed to the board instead Hetherington was one of the main guard was very much in control. Tony of using Frank Lowe as the front man. At beneficiaries of Frank Lowe’s success. Gray in his entertaining biography of the the Annual General Meeting of the com- He became a director of The Irish Times in legendary Irish Times Editor, R.M. pany in 1941, Simmington (the General 1954, and in 1959 he became joint Manag- Smyllie, gives an interesting insight into Manager) was kicked upstairs and Lowe ing Director with Douglas Gageby the running of the paper in the forties and was appointed a Director with very consid- (Gageby’s obituary in The Irish Times fifties. This book was originally intended erable executive powers. Loftus Arnott says that Hetherington invited Gageby to to be part of a history of the newspaper retained the title of Chairman, and Sir join him as Managing Director). In 1962 which The Irish Times was compiling in Lauriston Arnott continued to be called Gageby and Hetherington were succeeded 1982. But for some reason The Irish Times Managing Director, though all the manag- by McDowell. Hetherington, of course— decided not to go ahead with the project! ing was now done by Lowe. along with Gageby, McDowell and the two Walkers—was one of the five directors In the early forties the Arnott family, It is possible that at this time the un- /owners who benefited from the re- the well known retailers, owned all the orthodox policy of giving votes to structuring in 1974. ordinary shares, according to Gray, and an Preference Shareholders was introduced. Albert Hall had been the Company The balance of power was shifting away He was also a joint Managing Director Secretary for many years. The General from the original shareholders (in in 1962 of Frank Lowe’s company, Helys, Manager was J.J. Simmington, who particular the Arnott family) towards the the printing and stationery firm. Ralph seemed incapable of making Smyllie Freemason Frank Lowe and his allies. and Phillip Walker were also Directors of amenable to discipline. this company. Major McDowell seems to Gray says that, following the successful have been close to the Walkers. He started Gray presents a picture of very weak coup, Lowe and Fred Croskerry, sat down life in The Irish Times as a joint shareholder management of the newspaper. Although for lunch together at Jury’s. Croskerry with Ralph Walker. Smyllie seems to have been at the centre asked his close friend, who was now thanks of Dublin intellectual life for a period, Incidentally, it is interesting that to him the de facto Managing Director, for holding court in the Palace Bar and Hetherington described Croskerry as “a a seat on the Board. This request was subsequently in The Pearl, his administ- bit of a bohemian” because it appears that refused. Understandably, Croskerry never rative skills left a lot to be desired. There he was something of a “bohemian” spoke to Lowe again. is a quote from Brian Inglis (Casement’s himself. According to his obituary (The This betrayal is difficult to understand biographer) indicating that: Irish Times 24.11.01), he was a “highly since Gray described the two men as being “Smyllie is infuriatingly casual in all regarded” poet and “a gifted painter in best friends. However, Gray offers a routine matters. To answer letters is his watercolours”. In June 1962, following agony; to lose them his delight.” possible explanation. Quoting a George the dissolution of his marriage, he Hetherington he says that Lowe was: remarried in New York. This marriage In 1941, “the tough businessman”, “…perfectly right. Croskerry would was to Christine O’ Brien, who had Frank Lowe, became the de facto Manag- have been disastrous, absolutely divorced Conor Cruise O’ Brien the ing Director and it seems for all Smyllie’s impossible to work with.” previous year. 11 And yet this didn’t seem to affect his Smyllie, was also one (see Head Or Harp There were also 100 One Pound 5% career in The Irish Times. by Lionel Flemming, quoted by Dave Non Cumulative Preference Shares. 13 of The other omission from Gray’s book Alvey in Church & State magazine No. these shares were distributed to is that, although he reveals that Frank 77). One can only wonder what other individuals. The remaining 87 were owned Lowe was a Freemason, he neglects to tell details are omitted from Gray’s book. by the ubiquitous “The Irish Times Trust us that the subject of his book, R.M. John Martin Ltd”.

But the other interesting thing is that there were 100 One Pound Ordinary Shares. The same thirteen individuals who The Irish Times Share owned the 5% Non Cumulative Preference Shares were listed as owning the 1 Pound Ordinary Shares. The remaining 87 were Structure After 1974 owned by The Irish Times Foundation One of the surprising discoveries that this amount. It also says that this was a Ltd. the Irish Political Review has made is that “net” figure. In other words there was no in 1974 The Irish Times Ltd. was 100% tax paid. Kevin Myers informs us (Sunday The significance of this is that the owned by the Irish Times Holdings, an Telegraph 18.10.02) that the deal was ordinary shareholders would have been unlimited company, while control of The done only hours before the introduction of entitled to any dividends from The Irish Irish Times Ltd was exercised through the Capital Gains Tax in Ireland. So the boys Times Ltd. While 13 Ordinary Shares Irish Times Trust Ltd., which owned all did very well. does not seem very much to own in a the preference shares. This was interesting company, if there are only 100 ordinary But where did this money come from? because all of the newspaper reports on shares in total, that represents 13%. Also The 1,625,000 required to finance the The Irish Times have indicated that it was if the other 87% of the company is owned Ordinary Shares purchase came from the owned by The Irish Times Trust. by an entity which has no share capital, as Bank of Ireland. The Irish Times Holding is the case with The Irish Times Foundation As indicated in previous issues of this issued this amount in the form of Prefer- Ltd, all dividends would have to go to the magazine the five directors (Major ence Shares. (In those days Banks could individuals who own the 13%. This might McDowell, Douglas Gageby, George avoid paying taxes on the income of loans seem an academic argument for a company Hetherington and Ralph and Phillip to companies by calling such loans which claims to be “non profit” and Walker) owned all of the Ordinary Share “shares”.) In my view the Bank would still therefore has no dividends. But is this capital before the restructuring in 1974. have required a guarantor for these prefer- true? Did The Irish Times Holdings, the This amounted to a total nominal value of ence ‘shares’. owner of The Irish Times Ltd, ever pay 120,000 Pounds. However, they didn’t The remaining £380,000 required to dividends? own all of the Preference Share capital finance the purchase of the The Irish Times amounting to 380,000 Pounds. Ltd Preference Shares came from the There is a rather confusing article by The Irish Times Holdings entity bought Directors themselves. The five Directors Liam Collins of The Sunday Independent out all the shareholders for 2,005,000 paid £76,000 each, less the amount of (23.12.01) on Major McDowell’s tax Pounds. The Preference shareholders were Preference Shares that they might have affairs. While it looks like he had a long bought out at “par” or £380,000. This is already owned. running dispute with the Revenue not totally unreasonable since the Commissioners, the only reference I could Preference shareholders would not have So the issued share capital in 1974 of see to fines and penalties was for 357 been entitled to any profits over and above The Irish Times Holdings was as follows: Pounds. the interest dividend. However, they were entitled to votes at the General Meetings. 7% Cumulative A First Preference But the interesting thing, and about the Shares only coherent part of the article, was that The Ordinary Shares were valued at Held by Bank of Ireland 1,625,000 Major McDowell received dividends 1,625,000 Pounds or about £13.54 per amounting to 4,953 pounds, 11,811 pounds share. Readers might remember from the 7% Cumulative B First Preference and 7,421 pounds in 1979, 1980 and 1981 Shares July 2004 issue of the Irish Political from the Irish Times Holdings! Collins Held by George Hetherington and doesn’t make much of this because the Review that, when the Directors were Derdiu Ltd 76,000 issuing new shares to themselves in 1972, objective of the story seems to be to show they bought them at par or 1 pound each! 7% Cumulative C First Preference that McDowell was a tax evader. So in effect they succeeded in buying the Shares Ordinary Shares at a price that was much Held by Rossdohan Ltd (Ralph and But what this appears to indicate is that cheaper than they sold them for two years Phillip Walker) 152,000 the individual owners of The Irish Times later. This enabled them to increase their Holdings were receiving dividends. If this voting power in relation to the Preference 7% Cumulative D First Preference is true the assertion that all the profits in shareholders. Shares The Irish Times have gone back into the Held by Fetchfer (Douglas Gageby) newspaper since 1974 is not true. So, given that each Director owned 76,000 20% of the Ordinary Shares, they would I could not find any evidence of have received 325,000 each (1,625,000 7% Cumulative E Preference Shares dividend payments in the Companies’ divided by 5). The Irish Times obituary on Held by Dowell Ltd (Major McDowell) Office, because there are no financial 76,000 Gageby in June confirms that he received statements for the The Irish Times 12 Holdings or The Irish Times Ltd filed for Editor was Conor Brady who was THE GREATEST BRITISH the period from 1973 to 1989. However appointed to the Board of Directors on RUGBY PLAYER OF ALL TIME there was nothing to prevent the payment 23rd December 1985. It must have been a The famous journalist John Healy had of dividends in the 1974 Articles of memorable Christmas for Brady. The a brief involvement with the inner sanctum Association and there were still some indi- newspaper continued to be profitable and of The Irish Times group. He was a vidual Irish Times Holdings ordinary by November 1988 the company was in a founding subscriber for The Irish Times shareholders, including Major McDowell, position to redeem the Preference Shares Holdings in 1974. He also had one for the 1979 to 1981 period. It was only in owned by the 1974 owners. preference share in that company. But for January 1985 that individual ordinary whatever reason, he seems to have renoun- shareholders transferred their ordinary OTHER DIRECTORSHIP CHANGES ced his exalted status within a few weeks shares to The Irish Times Foundation. The first three directors to resign after and reverted to being a mere journalist. the re-structuring in 1974 were Ralph and Readers who were “shocked” at last It would appear that ordinary share Phillip Walker and George Hetherington. month’s revelation that Mike Gibson dividends ceased to be paid out after 1985. As indicated in the July 2004 issue of the declared his nationality to be British might But, if Liam Collins is right, there were Irish Political Review it was their intention be interested to know more of his involve- ordinary share dividend payments made to resign and “cash in” which triggered ment with The Irish Times. after 1974 and before 1985. the 1,625,000 pound jackpot. I could find His involvement appears to have been no evidence of any involvement by them quite brief. He was appointed a director of in The Irish Times after their resignations. The Irish Times Ltd, The Irish Times REDEMPTION OF SHARES Although I have not had sight of The Holdings and a Governor of The Irish Donal Nevin, the well known Trade Irish Times Ltd financial Statements Times Foundation in March 1975. But he Unionist, was a founding and longstanding between 1973 and 1989, the evidence resigned as Director and Governor in Governor of The Irish Times Trust Ltd. would suggest that it may have struggled September 1976. Shares of One Pound He was appointed a Director of The Irish from 1974 to 1977. Fergus Patrick each in The Irish Times Ltd and The Irish Times Ltd on 2nd July 1974. He then D’Esterre Pyle succeeded Gageby as Times Holdings were disposed of in resigned on 23rd July 1974. When I saw Editor in 1974 and became a Director in November 1976 and October 1977. this I thought that he might have had a July of that year. But, according to The I can shed no light on why he resigned. problem with swearing the Oath. This is Times obituary of Gageby, the financial Perhaps that “Oath” bothered him. It’s required of Directors of The Irish Times affairs of the company deteriorated to one thing to be working for the good of Ltd but was not required of the founding such an extent that “only Gageby’s return humanity, but to have to do it in secret was Governors of The Irish Times Trust Ltd. would satisfy its bankers”. maybe too much for him. Instead he chose However, whatever the reason for his the soft option of winning glory for Ireland, resignation, he seems to have overcome it the Lions and the Barbarians on Rugby Pyle resigned as Editor on 30th June and was re-appointed Director on 9th fields all over the world! 1977. The Articles of Association of the September 1974. John Martin company also required him to resign his position as Director. However, McDowell used his powers to re-appoint him to the Reader’s Letter Board. But he resigned again the following February.

Another casualty of the financial Carryduff, Co. Down problems of The Irish Times was Peter O I was invited recently to give a talk to couldn’t be mentioned in this area because Hara, who apparently was the “Managing the Carryduff Historical Society about the of it hijacking by Irish Nationalism. Now Director” (Major McDowell’s title was area as I remembered it from 1938 - 1946. you get lectured on it everywhere you go. “Chief Executive”). He resigned in March Parts of Carryduff in Mid-Down is rapidly After speaking to the historical society I 1977. being built on and has already been roped was asked by the Principal of Carryduff in as a Belfast suburb and those who Primary School to speak to the children Gageby succeeded Pyle as Editor and remember it as it was are beginning to die and their teachers. After that I was given also re-joined the Board of Directors after off a tour of the area and visited the old his resignation in February 1975. This Killynure school which has been converted became known as “the second coming”. What is interesting about the area is into a small church by the Free Presbyterian The company appears to have made a the reclamation of Protestant history, the Church. The minister in charge told me spectacular recovery in his time as Editor taking back of 1798.1 wrote a letter some about the history of the school and how it and The Irish Times Holdings, as well as time back to the Irish Political Review first opened during the 1798 Rebellion. paying ordinary share dividends concerning a work by two Carryduff (allegedly), was able to redeem the historians which brought in something of Driving back through Killynure with 1,625,000 Pounds worth of Preference 1798 and how it affected the area. I thought the Principal , the retired caretaker of the Shares held by Bank of Ireland in February Brendan Clifford summed up very well in school accompanying us constantly asked 1985 (nearly 7 years before they were due the September 2004 issue of the Irish for the car to be stopped a number of times for redemption). Not bad when you Political Review what 1798 meant in in order to point out the farms of the consider the state of the Irish economy in reality to both Protestant and Catholic. Protestant families whose forebears had the first half of the 1980s. fought in 1798. His family has lived in the Now 1798 is becoming alive again in area during that period. He spoke of the The successor to Douglas Gageby as Carryduff. This was once a subject which 1798 fighters as revolutionaries. 13 A large area of Killynure, within Carryduff, remains somewhat remote and the Free Presbyterian Church is rapidly expanding there. They now find the old Housing Policy Killynure school too small and have already bought land nearby in order to In Northern Ireland build a much larger church. There is no doubt that the Free Presbyterians are Now that the war in Northern Ireland is hoped could herald a new future of co- beginning to overshadow the traditional is, effectively, over, journalists have to operation between the two communities”. local Presbyterians by their optimism and write about other aspects of the place. vibrancy. David McKittrick of The Independent The use of the term ‘the authorities’ is (London), while reluctant to discard the quite interesting, the actual Housing Personally I see this renewed interest exotic ‘place apart’ image which is Executive (NIHE) is not mentioned until in 1798 by sections of the Protestant becoming hackneyed, has written the tenth paragraph, of this particular population as a warning to Whitehall to interesting, if not very enlightening stuff. article. The NIHE probably knows why keep the Ulster dimension. How ironical An item (Tues., 06.04.04) is headlined A people want to live apart. (McKittrick and nave of Catholic Nationalists to think Land Where Protestants And Catholics actually alludes to it: “lives have been lost that when the Protestant re-awoke to his/ Are Still Strangers To Each Other features when people strayed into the “wrong” her past history that the United Irishman the information emerging that housing is areas”.) When people are asked what sort (woman) would be re-born to create a ‘polarised’ to use the word fashionable in of area they want to live in, the usual unified country. the 1980s. A glib response to this is that response is ‘mixed,—or…’. Living with people in Northern Ireland, like people ‘our own’ is rarely anybody’s ideal It was interesting to hear a local everywhere else, meet in public places: situation, but it is safer for all concerned. Catholic in Carryduff realise that he had where they work, travel to and from work, Social engineering is clearly being pushed once saw the Protestant as an interloper. and where they take their leisure. People by the NIO (Northern Ireland Office), Now he insisted that the Protestant is as in Northern Ireland are not ‘strangers’ to probably backed up by the New Labour part of the that area as the very soil itself. each other: they live apart because they government with its propensity to meddle, I also felt that the Irishness of the Protestant know each other intimately—why create and not leave well alone, Blair himself in this part of Mid-Down is such that a situation where the political can become may have inspired the notion. There are at people from Cork would feel at home lethally personal? present four hundred ‘mixed-marriage’ among them. According to this article “…many families on Belfast, and they may well be assumed the ceasefires would result in a the nucleus around which this social In talking later to some other Catholics drawing together of the communities…”. experiment will be carried out. in the area about 1798 one of them said But they must have been living in a they supported its history in the past different planet from the rest of us—or on ‘Stormont’ set up a Housing Trust because the Protestants had abandoned it. the Gold coast of North Down—whichever (NIHT) in 1947, with Local Government But now that there was renewed interest in is the furthest from common reality. What areas retaining their right to house local it by the Protestant community they had has actually happened is that there is now residents, presumably after putting handed it back because it had ceased to be “near-total segregation … The authorities pressure on the Northern Ireland a Catholic myth. The Catholic community therefore face a daunting task in aiming to Government. An agitation about the there appear strong and confident in their reverse …polarisation and working disposal of Local Government houses in identity and have introduced Gaelic towards a more tolerant and exclusive Dungannon—one was given to the football to the area. This is a great change society”. Why have ‘the authorities’ set nineteen year old, unmarried, secretary of from how the few mixed and whole themselves this task? Generally speaking a local Unionist (Stormont) MP rather Catholic families in Carryduff had to skulk people are quite happy to live with people than to a large Catholic family—led about in the past. They were reviving the they agree with politically. (That this is directly to the implosion of ‘Northern old Irish place names such as Ceathra difficult to comprehend in England, indeed Ireland’, the setting up of the Provisional Aodha Dhuibh for the anglicised Carryduff the whole of Great Britain, because of the IRA, and the demise of the Unionist- on their notepaper and websites. The trivialisation of the political process, does dominated ‘Stormont’ government of the mainly Protestant Carryduff Historical not mean that the readership of the Indy six counties of Northern Ireland. The Society in their literature has also helped should not be asked to at least, attempt to NIHT operated a fair and strict ‘points’ to stimulate interest in the old Irish get their heads around the matter.) Living system, so that even people who were in placenames. apart means living in peace. desperate need of accommodation, were merely irritated if it took some time for Catholics tell me their population has McKittrick’s other item is Ulster them to be housed. The system was played risen in numbers and that Carryduff has Tackles Segregation With Mixed Housing straight by dispassionate civil servants. become a peaceful place for many mixed Estates, those ‘authorities’ (again) have (Furthermore, the houses and flats, while Catholic/Protestant families. I had a last been “galvanised” by the figures for usually nothing spectacular to look at, look around and except for one small area ‘segregated’ housing. It seems that 98% were sturdy and well-built.) The in Killynure, Carryduff is politically and of “working class Belfast” lives in what a dispassionate civil servants also tended to religiously free of graffiti. No flag or smart-alecky 1970s academic called house Protestants and Catholics in the bunting flies and no kerbstones are painted. ‘confessionally-pure’ areas. The Powers same estates, except in places (like east Wilson John Haire. that Be plan to “create” new housing Belfast) where it was not really possible 16 September, 2004 estates in which Prods and Papes “will life due to the overwhelming numbers of alongside each other in schemes which it 14 Protestant (or Catholic) people in particular areas. I do not know if this was ‘policy’ in the sense of being a thought-out (if not necessarily written down) strategy. Places which are now ‘notorious’ were ‘mixed’ from the start, Ballymurphy and Rathcoole Farenheit 9/11 are examples. There are still some I went to this film without any high The film doesn’t explain why Gore Protestant families in the ‘murph. People expectations despite it winning the Palm didn’t sign the petition. It is possible that lived in these places quite happily from d’Or. One reason for my scepticism was he felt that the price of bringing the whole the late 1940s / early ’50s, until the balloon that, after the last US Presidential election, political system into disrepute was not went up in 1969. Even then, the mass Michael Moore appeared on BBC’s worth paying, even if his own political movement of population tended to happen Newsnight. His response to the accusation ambition had to be sacrificed. A less benign in the first two or three years of the 1970s. that he helped elect Bush by urging Demo- view would be that he was so entrenched crat supporters vote for the Green candi- in the political establishment that he was These people did not move out of areas date Ralph Nadar was supercilious. He incapable of supporting a popular cam- they had brought their families up in replied that at least now Americans have paign that was not controlled by his party. because their neighbours suddenly the consolation that, no matter how stupid developed anti-social habits, or because they might be, they will still be more Following the election Bush is portray- they suddenly discovered that their intelligent than the President of the USA. ed as a “lame duck President”. The film neighbours were unpleasant people. When says that before September 11th he was on questioned by the media, most of those I was expecting a few more belly laughs holidays for more than 40% of his time. moving regretted their decision and most in this film and little else. There are plenty On September the 11th he heard of the of those remaining were genuinely upset of belly laughs, but the humour doesn’t first plane crashing in to the World Trade at losing valued neighbours. Clinton’s detract from the politics of the film. Centre before attending a photo opportun- team in the White House had a sound bite Moore’s film is a devastating critique of ity at a kindergarten. While he was listening ‘It’s the economy,—stupid’: in Northern the Bush Administration. His targets are to the story of the three pigs, an aide told Ireland in ’69 to ’73 it was ‘politics,— well aimed and if, in the course of his him of the second plane. The film shows stupid’. Everyone living in Ulster knew polemic, collateral damage is inflicted on disturbing pictures of the president trans- that the place had politically imploded, some so called innocent civilians such as fixed, opening and closing a children’s despite the British, and to an extent, the Ricky Martin and Britney Spears, such is book. Moore tells us that it was like this other English speaking and international war! for a full seven minutes. media, drivelling on about ‘mindless violence’ in Ulster. We were in the midst The film opens with the 2000 election The film will confirm suspicions that of a war to, somehow or other, clear up the and asks did it really happen or was it just George W is not the sharpest tool in the debris. a dream? It concludes that it did happen. garden shed. But the actions of his admin- George Bush did indeed steal the election istration cannot be explained away by The people who live in these new from Al Gore. It details the disenfranchise- incompetence. After September the 11th, estates will, one hopes, enjoy their lives in ment of voters who were unlikely to vote all flights were grounded except for the what will probably be better laid out estates Republican (“You could tell by their extended Bin Laden family. Over a hun- than those built in the straitened forties colour”), the supervision of the counting dred of them were allowed leave the United and fifties. (Though the quality of the by Bush’s supporters etc. etc. States for Saudi Arabia, the country of origin of most of the hijackers. The film work and of the materials used seems to It argues that the Supreme Court indicates that this, of course, is against all have deteriorated.) A minor aspect of this validated the election result because it known police procedure. The family mem- is that, while the NI Housing Trust was was packed with Bush cronies. I wonder bers of a fugitive from justice are the first discreet in preferring to house people, in whether this was true. After all, a Demo- to be interviewed. ‘mixed estates’, it was the great liberal cratic President was in power for the O’Neill who made an issue of the matter. previous 8 years. There was an interview with the Saudi Instead of allowing the Trust its head, and Ambassador to the USA on the Larry giving it the remit to house everybody in Gore accepted the decision of the Supreme Court even though he didn’t King show. He explained that it was felt Northern Ireland (which may well have that preventing the Bin Laden family from been one of the reforms he and Bill Craig agree with it. There was one last appeal available and this was a petition of the leaving the USA would have been unfair refused to call reforms), he insisted on since they couldn’t be held responsible for show case estates. One was Twinbrook, people supported by one Senator. But not one Senator, including Al Gore, was the actions of Osama Bin Laden. Interest- on the western outskirts of Belfast; another ing that the Saudi Ambassador was called one was Unity Flats at the former junction prepared to support this petition. Strangely enough, the person chairing the hearing of upon to explain US policy! Then for the of the Shankill and Old Lodge Roads. It delectation and delight of the viewers the is (just about) conceivable that, if O’Neill the petitions in the Senate was Gore himself. Each petitioner addressed Gore Ambassador revealed that he once met had not been exhibitionist about these Osama Bin Laden in the 1980s. On that matters, the solid groups of Catholics and (at least one referred to him as “Presi- dent”) but Gore rejected the petitions on occasion Bin Laden asked him to thank Protestants living in recognisable ‘ghettos’ the American Government for the help it would have become a thing of the past in the grounds that no Senator had signed. One person said that she didn’t care if no had given him in the struggle against the course of the past thirty years. Communism in Afghanistan. “How Seán McGouran Senator had signed. To which Gore, memorably replied: “Unfortunately the ironic” was the reply of a slightly worried rules care”. looking Larry King. 15 The film went on to detail the close business relations between the Bush family and Saudi Oil interests, as well as the relationship between Saudi Arabia and the USA (Investments by Saudi Arabia in JFK Rides Again the US equal about 7% of the investments in the American stock exchanges). John Forbes Kerry (the initials happen, transparency”. He might fit into a The film indicates that the Bush perhaps, to be JFK, as in the great European legislature quite comfortably, administration saw “nine eleven” as an Democratic ‘icon’, John Fitzgerald which is why many Americans find him opportunity to implement domestic and Kennedy) is probably not going to win the decidedly uncomfortable. Andrew foreign policies that would have been election for President of the USA, to be Sullivan (Sunday Times 19.09.04) put his impossible in normal circumstances. Vice- held on November 2, 2004. This is mainly finger on an aspect of Kerry’s lack of the President Dick Cheyney’s company, because of the accusation that he ‘flip- common touch. He has spent his political Haliburton, was involved in building an oil pipeline from the Caspian Sea to the flops’ on matters of major political career in Congress arguing about the Black Sea. It suited the US to invade importance, because he voted for the war niceties of legislation on such arcane Afghanistan and impose an oil consultant on Iraq, but then turned against it. That he matters as global warming and sewage to run that country. I have read elsewhere probably did not expect the (Republican) plants. This background makes him that the US turned its attention to Iraq Administration to engage in lies and dubious about grand gestures, which is when Oil Reserves in the Caspian Sea distortions in the evidence it placed before pretty fatal on the ‘campaign trail’. turned out to be less than expected. It was Congress in the run up to the war, is not Sullivan put Kerry forward as a suitable less easy to link Hussein with Al Qaeda. part of this argument, or jibe, put forward candidate for conservatives to vote for But Bush kept on repeating the words by the Republican Party. But Kerry is only a matter of weeks prior to the above; “Saddam Hussein”, “terrorism” and “Al- stuck with the ‘image’ of being a man he now thinks that Kerry is going to be as Qaeda” in the same sentence. unable to make up his mind on matters of big a loser as George McGovern in 1972. national importance. This has allegedly The title of the article is So Long Kerry, The most interesting part of the film to do with the fact that he is a Massachusetts You Look Like The Ultimate Loser, ‘you showed how the fears of the American ‘Liberal’ and thereby detached from the look like’ is a bit of a face-saver for people were manipulated. Not even small feeling and aspirations of the average Sullivan, just in case Kerry makes a better towns were safe from the terrorist threat American citizen. The average American showing than is anticipated at present. and therefore people should be happy to citizen could hardly have found Iraq or sacrifice some of their civil liberties. Afghanistan on the map prior to 9 / 11. His opponent, Bush (like many The film also showed a business successful Presidential candidates) conference demonstrating the money to Kerry, according to Project Vote Smart skipped law-making duty and went straight be made from the war in Iraq (“And don’t (http://www.vote-smart.org) is an identikit for a Governorship—of Texas in his case. worry. The state will pay for the costs”). Liberal: in favour of gun control and of He plays the bluff Texan very well, even One businessman said unctuously that fairly easy access to abortion. He is also though, like Kerry, he was born to the this was his way of “supporting the troops”. the opposite, according to Peter S. purple. He is the son of a President of the How the American military recruits its Canellos, a member of a Senate awkward USA and the grandson of a Senator, and is troops from the poor areas of America squad. The headline is, Real Kerry Doesn’t a ‘big oil’ man. There are successful was also revealing. One of the potential Fit The Label Of ‘Liberal’, he has “…long ‘small oil’ entrepreneurs in Texas these recruits thought that the pictures of bombed sought to shake free of party dogma”. days because of tribulations in the Arab out Baghdad didn’t look so different from Canellos quotes two breaks with “liberal lands. Bush also seems to be a genuine his own neighbourhood in Flint, Michigan. theology”: in 1992 Kerry bemoaned the fundamentalist Protestant Christian, and “lack of personal responsibility in poor probably also genuinely believes that the The film concludes with two state- urban neighborhoods” and suggested that human race is living in the ‘end time’. ments. One is a quote from George affirmative action sent the wrong message This sort of thing reassures many of the Orwell’s 1984 indicating that, in a class to the underclass. He is also said to have American electorate, including people who society, it was not important that the been “delighted by the shake-up” would normally regard his views as off objectives of wars were achieved but that following the Democratic loss of control the wall. A Roman Catholic former the State was constantly in a state of war. of Congress in 1994 (Letter From America, Chicago policeman interviewed on Sunday The other statement from Moore himself International Herald Tribune, Thurs., July (Radio4 UK, 19.09.04), who described was a rather cloying appeal to his audience 15, 2004, reprinted from The Boston himself as ‘pro-life’, is going to vote Bush, that, if poor people are to be forced into Globe, Kerry’s ‘home town’ paper). because he is a religious, moral man. the army, the least we can do is ensure that What this tends to indicate is that Kerry they are not exposed to unnecessary is too politically minded to be a party-man Kerry is (nominally) a Catholic. In danger. The assumption seems to have (or a President?): he engages in thought these strange times his religion might be been that “poor people” wouldn’t be about society. more of a problem than it was for John F. looking at the film! Kennedy. (Canellos mentions the fact There is a great need for this kind of Kerry helped expose the Reagan that the Boston Globe has a Left of Ted film. Never before has so much informa- administration’s dubious ‘wars’ in Central [Kennedy] slot, which Kerry has inhabited tion been processed for the immediate America, along with “Republican for most of his 20 year Senate career. It political needs of those in power. It is moderates like Arlen Specter and Rudolph speaks volumes for American politics that good to see an attempt being made to Giuliani, and such Democratic moderates a multi-millionaire is the lodestar of the place such information in a coherent as Joseph Lieberman and Joe Biden, Kerry enjoys wagging a finger at powerful ‘Left’.) Apart from the fact that the Pope framework. Go and See! interests of any type, demanding truth and is regarded by most of the fundamentalists John Martin 16 who are infesting the Republican Party as The major problem the Republicans problem facing the electorate is that Kerry ‘Anti-Christ’, Roman Catholics are not have with Kerry is that he fought in the has not got a policy on Iraq, or the ‘terrorist’ ‘sound’ on the series of wars in which Viet Nam war and won a lot of medals, problem, that is different from the Bush has involved the US. (Some elements and then campaigned against the war, Republicans. He wants Iraq to become a in the Southern States probably have not making the reputation that got him into sovereign democratic state. So does Bush. forgiven the Kennedy family for the Civil the Senate. A number of increasingly He would like the various allies of the US, Rights Act.) desperate attempts to destroy his reputation including France and Germany, to share as a brave soldier have been made. This the burden in Iraq and Afghanistan. The The Republicans, for the past ten years created a situation where the Veterans, a only difference between his approach and or so, have used ‘knocking copy’ on their substantial element in the electorate, have that of Bush is that Kerry might be more opponents, some of it pretty brutal. Apart turned against the Republicans. Kerry did polite about asking. from the ‘flip-flop’ jibe about the Iraq not make an issue of his record in Viet It is difficult to blame the American war, they have left Kerry pretty well alone. Nam, the Republicans did, and realised electorate if they choose to stay with the The reason is that Kerry is comparatively that it was counter-productive. The main devil they know. exotic: his family’s name was Kohn and Seán McGouran they are from the Hapsburg’s Austrian lands. The Kerry name is, allegedly, an accident; a pin was inserted in a map Launch of new book (whether of the world in general, or Ireland by Aspects Of in particular depends on the teller of the British Propaganda During tale). Kerry became the new name—rather John Minahane— The War Of Independence lucky for a family which had settled in the Ladislav Novomesky: Slovak heavily Irish and Catholic Massachusetts Spring. Translation of poems and A talk by —one feels that ‘Kazakhstan’ might not essays, 1923-1971. With a Review have filled the bill. The family had of his Literary and Political life by converted to Roman Catholic Christianity Dr. Brian Murphy OSB while in Europe (not an eccentric matter at John Minahane on the time: the best known converts from on Judaism to Christianity were the com- Friday, October 8th, Friday, October 15th, 8pm posers Mahler and Schoenberg. The latter, 7.30pm at characteristically became a Lutheran). at The Teachers Club, Subliminally this tends to emphasise the The Teachers Club (Room 6), alleged ‘flip-flop’ element in Kerry’s 36 Parnell Square, Dublin mental make up. 36 Parnell Square, Dublin All welcome All welcome Kerry speaks fluent French, while Bush Belfast Historical & Sponsored by Athol Books has problems with the English language— Ediucational Society he even made a joke about it at the Republican Convention, making one wonder of it is not part of a cultivated persona. Kerry’s linguistic skill would not endear him to large swathes of the US public at the best of times. At a time when the French are regarded as virtual allies of Al Qa’ida, such cosmopolitanism is not an electoral advantage, and the matter is made worse by the fact that Kerry has relatives in France. On top of that his wife, who inherited the vast Heinz food processing empire from her (deceased) husband, is Portuguese. Though this is difficult to fit into a demonology, she has a habit of being abrupt with Republican- oriented journalists. Portugal was also less than enthusiastic about the war on Iraq, and the Portuguese-Americans (largely resident in Massachusetts) are not particularly well regarded. The only ‘famous Portuguese’ are John Philip Sousa, and the novelist John Dos Passos on the Left, who was involved in the campaign to save Sacco and Vanzetti from the gallows, becoming a ‘Jeffersonian’ Republican at the end of his career.

17 PROGRESS? continued local bargaining. deal as a ‘working document’ and said “However, on this occasion we will there was ‘much unfinished business’ in only have to decide on a pay rise and the areas such as take-home pay, pensions, due to report in 2007. T.E.E.U. Executive Council has childcare and measures to support “Last time the 2002 report provided recommended acceptance. This is not standards of employment” (Irish spectacular pay rises which averaged at just because of the terms on offer but Times,31.8.2004). 8.9% for civil servants, teachers, nurses, because of significant progress on non- ****************************************************************** gardai and local authority employees” pay issues as well. THE VOTE (Irish Independent, 4.8.2004). “The Government has promised that FOR : SIPTU (76 Votes) 70%/30%; “‘Sustaining Progress’ is delivering a combination of pay increases and tax IMPACT public service (32) 91%/9%; TEEU the highest pay increases in any of the reforms will deliver ‘significant craft workers (27) 81%/19%; MSF/AMICUS (21) 80%/20%; INTO teachers (21) 90%/ world’s leading economies”, IMPACT increases in take home pay’ over the General Secretary, Peter McLoone 10%; CWU communications (18) 62%/38%; next 18 months.” (Irish Examiner, CPSU public servants (14) 62%/38%; UCATT states. 30.8.2004). It sure is, if you’re employed in the middle builders (13) 78%/22%; PSEU civil servants The TEEU decision followed the CPSU (11) 91%/9%; AHCPS civil servants (4) 93%/ or upper tiers of the public service! public service union vote of two to one in 7%; NUJ journalists (4) 85%/15%; GPMU “In exchange, Irish workers are favour of Phase II despite opposing Phase printers (4) 66%/34%. delivering the highest productivity I in March, 2003. AGAINST: MANDATE (29 Votes) 97%/ 3%; INO nurses (24) 74%/26%; ATGWU improvements in Europe and the E.U.’s ****************************************************************** general (16) 97%/3%; IBOA bank staff (14) highest rates of economic growth.” “The eagerness with which vocal critics 98%/2%; TUI teachers (13) 100% against; (ibid.). of the national social pact are now BATU builders (11) 100% against; IMO They are indeed—but it is not these embracing the pay terms may boost medical doctors (6) 100% against; POA prison workers who are receiving the fruits of employer suspicions that they conceded staff (4) 95%/5%. economic growth—in the caste system too much during last June’s protracted OTHER SMALL UNIONS: (30 Votes) which now underpins the national pay negotiations” (Irish Independent, TOTAL VOTES: (392) agreements, the public service ‘drones’ 30.8.2004). ****************************************************************** are gobbling further and further that which ****************************************************************** “Sustaining Progress—Phase II belongs to the ‘worker’ bee, the ‘soldier’ July, 2004—December, 2005 bee and the ‘queen’ bee. THE TEACHERS The “Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) Workers to receive 5.5% increase over Further, the “productivity improve- 18 months. ments” and record growth is overwhelm- will not be buying into the deal. It ingly contributed by the I T sector, where complained yesterday of not having the Some Private Sector workers are already trade union membership is pathetically opportunity to ballot members on the new due the First Phase increase of 1.5% under weak and contributes greatly to the ever wage offer. the new deal, which comes into effect at decreasing Trade Union membership in “The T.U.I. said the wage offer under different times for different employments. the private sector in general. the agreement was not adequate to * 1.5% for the first six months There is a political dimension to all compensate for inflation and economic * 1.5% for the second six months this as well—the core vote of the growth” (Irish Examiner, 30.8.2004). * 2.5% for the final six months ‘establishment’ parties, as Dana calls them The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation are Mr. McLoone’s “civil servants, (INTO) backed the agreement. Public Sector workers will receive the teachers, nurses, gardai”. This is The Association of Secondary first 1.5% next June, 2005, followed by the especially so in the case of New Fianna Teachers’ of Ireland (ASTI) are not next 1.5% in December, 2005 and a 2.5% Fail. McCreevy may be an economic affiliated to the ICTU. increase in June, 2006. Additional one half per cent rise for rationalist but his inane political cuteness S.I.P.T.U. doesn’t allow political gain to get in the those earning 351 Euros per week or less, or The country’s biggest trade union, up to 9 Euros an hour, giving them a First way of his ideology. SIPTU, voted by a margin of 70 per cent Phase increase of 2%. When you’re robbing Peter to pay Paul, to 30 per cent to support the deal. SIPTU REDUNDANCY: Ceiling on Redun- of one thing you can be certain : Paul made up nearly 20 per cent of the 392 dancy Pay to be increased from 507 Euros to won’t bloody well object, that’s for sure! delegates at the Special Delegate 600 Euros per week. CRAFT UNIONS Conference. MATERNITY: Maternity Benefit to be The country’s largest craft union, the restored to 80% of earnings, up from 70%. 37,000 strong Technical, Engineering & SIPTU President, Jack O’Connor, said MINIMUM WAGE: Minimum wage of Electrical Union (TEEU) voted in favour members had clearly decided in favour of 7 Euros an hour to be reviewed by the of Phase II. This is the first occasion the the proposals on the basis of commitments Labour Court, with a view to a new rate TEEU have voted for acceptance of a given by the Government in relation to applying from May 1st, 2005. national wage agreement. personal taxation and improved public BENCHMARKING: Benchmarking body to start new review in the second half It also voted in favour of a controversial services. of next year and to report in 2007. motion that will increase the number of LABOUR INSPECTORS: Appointment reserved seats for women on ICTU’s This was a reference to the unions’ of four additional Labour Inspectors and Executive Council from four to eight. The expectation that tax adjustments in the review of functions and operation of successful motion also created a second Budget will result in further increases in Employment Rights bodies. Vice-Presidential position, which must be take-home pay. PENSIONS: A working group of filled by a woman. While the new deal does not include a Government, Employer and Union The TEEU members voted by four to specific commitment to that effect, unions representatives to examine Pension one to accept the Phase II. Acting General concluded the pay negotiations in June provisions. Secretary, Eamon Devoy, said the Union with a clear understanding that workers SEMI-STATES: Government promises had voted against the original agreement would benefit from budgetary changes “active engagement” with social partners on because of the strict compliance clause such as a widening of tax bands. the future of commercial Semi-State bodies. restricting the right of unions to pursue “Mr. O’Connor described the pay ********************************************************** 18 LESSONS continued * 1.5% for the first six months BANKING UNION * 1.5% for the second six months Whilst the Irish Bank Officials’ * 2.5% for the final six months Association (IBOA) executive rejected remain. In such an outcome something “Sustaining Progress” unanimously, might be salvaged from the recent Each union’s votes are calculated on referendum result. It would be important their membership in the Republic and which marked the first time the IBOA had also not to forget about the multitude of representation is skewed in favour of the rejected a national pay deal, the country’s environmental issues facing us a nation. smaller groups. While SIPTU accounts largest public service union’s members for nearly forty per cent of ICTU union voted by a nine-to-one majority in favour LESSONS TO BE LEARNED of the new national pay deal. As the traditional parties experience members in the State, its voting strength is shrinkage in their base, it is important to just under twenty per cent. The IBOA said the 5.5% pay increase over 18 months, proposed under those of us who are activists for an alterna- In March, 2003, on the vote for the “Sustaining Progress”, fell short of its tive, to ask where we ourselves are going. First Phase, there was major embarrass- The potential of disillusioned Fianna Fail expectations and criticised the absence of ment when the delegates’ votes were voters should not be underestimated as we local bargaining provisions that would counted at 195 to 147 in favour of the ought to be a society in conversation with allow unions in certain sectors to negotiate Agreement, which indicated that about 50 ourselves beyond political correctness and better deals. elected Congress delegates had not buzz words. In being part of a recent Larry Broderick, IBOA General Secre- bothered to vote. On September the 1st, organising committee in Cork for Diversity tary said banks were enjoying record things were much more disciplined. Day, which brings immigrants and Irish profitability and that the proposed deal people together to celebrate music and art, The new deal will bring improvements failed to reflect the contribution of bank I experienced a lot of good will but we in Maternity Benefits and Statutory staff on low pay. were very overburdened with insurance Redundancy payments and also a review “I.B.O.A. believes employers, costs and this may ultimately make an of the National Minimum Wage, currently event next year impossible. particularly profitable ones, should seven Euros per hour. reward employees with adequate wage ICTU General Secretary, David Begg, At times like this one can almost lose increases. Productivity in the private heart and wonder at the value of people- stated he had received a commitment from sector has substantially increased, yet action but we have many positive examples the government that December’s forth- staff are not getting the financial reward from our national recent past which we coming Budget would include a widening they deserve.” can reclaim. Over the years the dynamic of income tax bands. IBOA said the deal was unfair because of much of Irish culture could be The two terms of “Sustaining Progress” it allowed employers to plead inability to discovered in the GAA and the ICA [Irish over three years works out at 3.6% on an pay if they were under financial pressure, Countrywomen’s Association]. The annual basis. but there was no mechanism to extract pay people in such organisations do not suffer The deal was a foregone conclusion rises above the 5.5% mark from employers fools gladly; are extremely resourceful; when unions representing well over 200 that could afford to pay more. The IBOA and can facilitate a superior form of debate of the 392 delegates entitled to vote originally wanted a 7% rise. to anything which features on Questions pledged their support for the 18 month “Unions should be able to negotiate & Answers. In the past, the Left have been agreement. reasonable increases with employers wrong to dismiss such institutions of the who are making record profits, yet the Irish people simply because of the A shift by the TEEU electricians, the Communications Workers’ Union and the people who generate the profits… are comments of a few or the attempt by some prevented from benefitting through the CPSU public servants in favour of the politicians to hijack these organisations absence of a local bargaining clause,” for their own ends. The welfare of the deal ensured safe passage for “Sustaining said Mr. Broderick. mass of people has improved since Progress” Phase II. “We must be free to negotiate locally independence, in a patchy way and The main opposition was led by with highly profitable organisations” insufficiently, but let us fairly study and (Irish Examiner, 21.7.2004). acknowledge where benefits have been MANDATE, the retail trade union, ATGWU, IBOA bank staff, TUI teachers derived and focus our attacks for those THE PUBLIC SERVICE and INO nurses. deserving. IMPACT General Secretary, Peter MANDATE, which represents thous- John Ryan McLoone said: “It is the best deal since ands of retail workers, said the deal did 1987 and benchmarking has been a key not go far enough to address the needs of factor in producing a high vote in ballots” those on low pay. The (Irish Independent, 2.9.2004). The Irish Nurses’ Organisation and Of course, nearly all of the IMPACT the Teachers’ Union of Ireland, both of ‘Partnership’ trade union’s 50,000 members will qualify which backed the first phase of Sustaining for the second round of the special Age Continues Progress, also opposed the deal on this benchmarking bonanza, which is a feature THE SECOND 18 MONTH PHASE OF occasion. of the new pay terms on top of the annual- THE “SUSTAINING PROGRESS” INO Deputy General Secretary, Mr. ised 3.6 wage they will receive under NATIONAL AGREEMENT WAS Dave Hughes said many nurses believed “Sustaining Progress”. APPROVED ON WEDNESDAY, supporting the deal would be an SEPTEMBER 1, 2004 BY 267 VOTES Close to nearly 300,000 state employ- endorsement and acceptance of the TO 110 AT A SPECIAL DELEGATE ees benefitted from the last Benchmarking “appalling state of the health service”. CONFERENCE OF THE IRISH decision in 2002. These unions also wanted a higher CONGRESS OF TRADE UNIONS “Public service unions participated minimum or floor-pay increase, improved (ICTU) AT THE HELIX IN DUBLIN. in separate secret talks in June on union rights and a local bargaining clause The Agreement provides for a 5.5% launching a new round of benchmarking increase over 18 months as follows: to facilitate top-up pay claims. continued on page 18 19 VOLUME 22 No. 10 CORK ISSN 0790-1712 Lessons To Learn WE MIGHT ASK ourselves if any in communities outside Council Chambers and secondly, if he or she has a proven long-term implications can be taken from could become crucial. ability to respond to the initiatives of local the recent Euro and Local Election results? Action and Community organisations— COMMUNITY ACTIVITY In the County Council elections the right- rather than seeking to dictate, impose or When communities are healthy, they wing parties lost around a net of seventy even stifle such efforts. Once this vetting are capable of working independently. is seriously followed, a number of seats. They lost other seats in the less Whether this means switching water back preferences may be offered to the best significant Town Council elections. Some on if the meter man disconnects someone, available people in a given ward from the time in the next couple of years the or deciding to go and decorate some dere- range of Sinn Fein, Labour, Green, Government may try to bring back water lict buildings, or having a protest or boycott Socialist and Independent candidates. The charges and escalate the rate of of known hoodlums in the drugs business. best choices may be those that prove they privatisation of the refuse service. In The same can be said of mobilisation can operate effectively in broad alliances, more than one Council, the combined when the downgrading and outsourcing be they Union, Voluntary group or Inter- force of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are now of services happens. Whether it is Garda Party lobby, and who are not simply biding in the minority. However, as seems likely stations which only open in the daytime, their time to make a bid for the personal in many areas, Labour will go about Post Offices closing down, or Home Helps glory of a Dail seat. In five years’ time, being put on shorter hours. Never have forming alliances with Fine Gael. Based another seventy or so seats could be taken our communities needed people more to from the Right on the various Councils. on their respective so-called principles, work to keep our areas safe and serviced Such a prolonged pattern could be of how will this work when estimates need to at a time of downsizing, and Mary Harney significant historical impact for Ireland. be agreed? Will the pattern repeat itself of wanting people to work in the real econ- representatives claiming to promote omy. The reskilling of a bulk of ordinary EURO ELECTIONS communities buckling under the threat of people is very necessary. Many have Meanwhile, in the Euro elections, in abolition by the Department of the never been in a Trade Union, or have had the case of Ulster, the only unapologetic Environment? their opinion seriously considered. A candidate on the Left—Eamon McCann— participation in Social Forums and com- polled a mere 9,000 votes. With everybody Furthermore, when we consider the munity workshops would help. large agenda facing the newly returned else playing safe, and now that the push Councillors, we might ask if all is now In a future Local Election, people need has been put on the SDLP, it is possible that in a future election a considerable forgotten of the intention to elect Council to consider carefully the lists of candidates, taking into account two key principles. number of Ulster people might decide to Chairs democratically and directly. Firstly, the voting record of the candidate, tactically vote for a more Left leaning Whether chains of office are given out, or person, who would embrace a greater junkets are divided up, is it not more socio-economic picture than what is Subscribers to the magazine are regularly fundamental to ask how much longer that offered special rates on other publications usually discussed in the politics of their Local Government in Ireland will remain province. In such a set of circumstances, under the dictatorship of the County Irish Political Review is published a message might be sent to Brussels that Managers? by the IPR Group: write to— there are more facets to the region’s difficulties than are usually portrayed Whoever forms the next Government PO Box 339, Belfast BT12 4GQ or through the funnel of the mass media. is unlikely to tackle this issue. A negative PO Box 6589, London, N7 6SG. impact of the Tribunal age is that there is Labour Comment, Overall, the capture of two seats by a new school of thought that doesn’t trust C/O Shandon St. P.O., Cork City Sinn Fein was significant, and fair play to to put any power into the hands of elected them. As with all newly-elected MEPs, representatives, if at all avoidable! The Subscription by Post: there is much on which we could lobby. A high poll in the recent elections was Euro 25 / £17.50 for 12 issues campaign for an amnesty for all asylum interesting but it is difficult to see how the Electronic Subscription: seekers and immigrants here for longer interest of voters can be maintained, given Euro 15 / £12 for 12 issues than four years, with a granting of right to the large number of local crises and the (or Euro 1.30 / £1.10 per issue) remain for life, would be very welcome. This might be followed by a demand for a severe limitation of any Council to be able You can also order both postal and right to work for all those with leave to to do much to sort out the causes. Actions electronic subscriptions from: www.atholbooks.org continued on page 19